There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
Search
Miscellaneous Tech
Tag Cloud
access acer asus bios bsod computer crash drive driver drivers error ethernet excel freeze games gaming hard drive hardware hdmi internet java laptop malware memory monitor motherboard music network obp printer problem ram random registry router slow software sound trojan usb video virus vista wifi windows windows 7 windows 7 32 bit windows 7 64 bit windows xp wireless
Search
Search for:
Tech Support Guy Forums > General Technology > Miscellaneous Tech >
bad cable reception

Reply  
Thread Tools Rate Thread
boo5790's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 553 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Canada
Experience: Always something to learn
08-Jun-2009, 09:24 PM #1
bad cable reception
hey all, my neighbour is having a wierd problem. when he has his computer on a few of his cable channels have lines running through them. when he shuts off the computer, the channels are clear as day. i was wondering if anyone has any thoughts as to what in his computer might be causng the interference. it is only a few channels not all of them. he is running windows xp
cwwozniak's Avatar
Computer Specs
Trusted Advisor with 32,980 posts.
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: McHenry, IL - USA
Experience: Enough to be dangerous
08-Jun-2009, 11:23 PM #2
Does the cable connect to the computer in any way (Cable modem or tuner card in the computer)?

Is the computer connected directly to the TV?

Have any case mods been done to the computer (CFL lighting, clear window, etc.)

Does the interference still appear if all external hardware (mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, external drive, printer, etc.) is unplugged from the computer?

Does the computer have any kind of wireless hardware installed?

Does the amount of interference depend on the distance of the computer from the TV or the cable tuner box?
__________________
Chuck W.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, And you are not in this world to live up to mine. - Fritz Perls
boo5790's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 553 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Canada
Experience: Always something to learn
09-Jun-2009, 12:24 AM #3
hi cwwozniak, the cable does not connect to the tv

the computer is not connected to the tv

no case mods have been done

the interference still appears when all external hardware is unplugged

the distance the computer is from the tv has no effect.

tonight we unhooked his tower and hooked up his wifes tower with all the same cables and external hardware and there was no interference whatsoever. so the problem is something inside his tower it seems. all was okay and the problem started about a month ago. i dont know if he took it in to a tech if they have a way to find out what the problem is
cwwozniak's Avatar
Computer Specs
Trusted Advisor with 32,980 posts.
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: McHenry, IL - USA
Experience: Enough to be dangerous
09-Jun-2009, 02:55 AM #4
Thank you for running the checks and eliminating some of the easy stuff that might be the cause.

Trying to find the source of the interference may require some equipment that may not be found in a typical computer repair shop. If they can somehow duplicate the problem on a TV in the shop, they might be able to try replacing things like the power supply, motherboard, and video controller card and see if the problem disappears.

Since you say that distance does not affect the severity of the problem, I would tend to suspect the interference may be coming through the AC power lines. I am not familiar with PC supplies to know if there is anything that can fail so that the supply seems to run normally but could be dumping noise into the AC input
__________________
Chuck W.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, And you are not in this world to live up to mine. - Fritz Perls
JohnWill's Avatar
Computer Specs
Distinguished Member with 110,212 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: South Eastern PA, USA
Experience: Advanced age & experience
09-Jun-2009, 10:20 AM #5
I'd start at electrical grounding for the case. I'd also put an EMI filter on the power connection, just to eliminate that possibility. This kind of issue is most frequently an issue within the power supply, high frequency interference would normally happen much closer to the machine.
boo5790's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 553 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Canada
Experience: Always something to learn
09-Jun-2009, 10:36 AM #6
hi JohnWill, i will pass on your reccomendations and post back when he has the problem resolved
Reply

THIS THREAD HAS EXPIRED.
Are you having the same problem? We have volunteers ready to answer your question, but first you'll have to join for free. Need help getting started? Check out our Welcome Guide.

Search Tech Support Guy

Find the solution to your
computer problem!




Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
WELCOME TO TECH SUPPORT GUY! Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question -- for free! Our site is run completely by volunteers who want to help you solve your computer problems. See our Welcome Guide to get started.
Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:



Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter TechGuy.tv TechGuy.tv Mobile TSG Mobile
You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:53 AM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2011 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.